37 Votes

Lexus IS-F, Road and Track Test Drive at the Fuji SpeedWay

mugenpower submitted on 6/21/2008 Official Bell & Ross Timestamp: 10:36:50 PM

57 user comments | Category: Reviews | Source: | SOURCE: www.nihoncar.com

Tag Links: TOYOTA, LEXUS, IS-F, SEDAN, V8, FUJI SPEEDWAY, YAMASHITA

Born at the Fuji Speedway, we decided to go and test the IS-F there is a SuperGT driver, Mr.

Yamashita...

Conclusion:
We had the M3 not so long ago for ManualGear.com and the BMW was in our head during the test drive of this IS-F, after all, it is clearly Lexus’s main target with this new machine and…if we had to choose between the 2 we’d probably go for…the IS-F. The Lexus may not offer the same adrenalin rush as the M3 but he combination of luxury, comfort, style, performance and safety makes it a very good choice for whoever is searching for a four-passenger luxury sport sedan.

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Lexus IS-F, Road and Track Test Drive at the Fuji SpeedWay

About the Author

— mugenpower (View Profile)

User Comments

"if we had to choose between the 2 ( IS-F and M3) we’d probably go for…the IS-F"

Though there will be numerous naysayers loudly disagreeing here, that fact is, Lexus has done a fine job with the IS-F in many way... and there will be many who'll draw the same conclusion as this tester.
— DaHarder (View Profile)

Posted on 6/21/2008 11:53:27 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 10

"and there will be many who'll draw the same conclusion as this tester."

maybe. I notice this particular review was from a site catering to Japanese vehicles. That sort of downgrades the value. I wonder how reviews of the M3 are on "IHeartGermanCars.com" and "GermanCarsRule.com". Probably pretty good too, right?
— JRobUSC (View Profile)

Posted on 6/22/2008 12:01:00 AM | | Votes: 0

damn..ive only seen 2 in miami, including mine
— stash84 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/22/2008 9:33:12 PM | | Votes: 3

When I look at an IS-F it looks just like an IS-F that's riced out. Now when I listen to that beautiful V8 roar it brings nothing but positive things to say about it.
— Agent63 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/23/2008 4:26:35 AM | | Votes: -2

"The thing is that the VDIM, once on a race track, prevents you (or the driver) to push the car to its limits.
A lot of safety equipments had to be deactivated before the test drive and that’s something you won’t be able to do unless you want to lose the warranty"

This is completely wrong. There is a "sport" button on the dash below the start button which COMPLETELY de activates the VDIM, and changes the nature of the transmission entirely. I guess these testers missed that.....
— mitchatlexusofmarin (View Profile)

Posted on 6/23/2008 2:20:03 PM | | Votes: 1

japanese publication tests japanese car in japan and say says it's the best.

yeah, they're objective.
— enthusiastx11 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/22/2008 12:06:48 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

and the title of the publication is nihon (i.e. japanese) car.
— enthusiastx11 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/22/2008 12:08:14 AM | | Votes: -1

Just like all the German car mags which are equally objective.
— _43LE (View Profile)

Posted on 6/22/2008 11:41:23 AM | | Votes: 3

of course! and american car mags tend to have a bias towards american cars
— lexusrox123 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/24/2008 11:18:02 AM | | Votes: 1

The guy testing the IS-F sure doesn't look Japanese or sound Japanese.
— F1_Driver (View Profile)

Posted on 6/22/2008 12:41:49 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

but he works for nihon car. it's the equivalent of a magazine named germanic car.
— enthusiastx11 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/22/2008 1:37:04 PM | | Votes: -1

I am the guy you are seeing in the video and who wrote the review... As I stated, I love the M3 for its power and lunacy but the M3 is a very picky car to drive for the average joe, while the IS-F, less powerful, will fit many of you... Now Yes NihonCar is a Website dedicated for Japanese car, but we ALSO have ManualGear.com, a website dedicated to European Cars and I also tested the M3 here... So I believe we are fair...

http://www.manualgear.com/en/driven-71-BMW+M3+E92.html
— mugenpower (View Profile)

Posted on 6/22/2008 5:00:03 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 6

said.
— EL44 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/22/2008 5:02:46 AM | | Votes: 1

kthor - I know three guys who have highly modded 997tts (all around 600 hp), who are 35-40 y.o. and who bought ISF's as their everyday cars. Those guys rave about how nice a car the ISF - they are really impressed with what Lexus has done. Not saying the M3 isn't better, just saying that your generalizations may not be accurate
— pcar4evr (View Profile)

Posted on 6/22/2008 9:30:08 AM | | Votes: 3

kthor just has to crawl out from under his rock anytime BMW is seen as not being perfect.

M3 and IS-F are both awesome. Deal with it.
— answer (View Profile)

Posted on 6/22/2008 6:32:39 PM | | Votes: 3

buy then why buy the IS-F over an IS350? I have driven both and part of the allure to buying a high performance sport sedan is for the sport nature, quick and light steering, tight handling and the fact it is lightning fast. To compare the IS-F to a M3 for the same money is ridiculous. I have driven both back to back on the same race track and the IS-F is nowhere near the same league as the M3.

The IS-f has a great engine sound to it, but is disappointing since it cant back up the sound. Alot more body roll than one would expect for a car trying to compete with the M3. Way too much nose dive when entering a turn, plus the lift of the bbody when exiting the turns. I dont understand why anyone would buy the IS-F, when the IS350 provides similar handling at $20k less. Also, the peak torque comes into play when you are exiting a turn. There is a significant delay for the torque to spool up before the car gets going. I will say that it is better looking in person than pictures showed, aside from the weird looking stacked exhausts. Interior wise, not too crazy of the fake aluminum trim. On the test car we had, it was already coming apart.
— BMW4me4ever (View Profile)

Posted on 6/23/2008 10:53:48 AM | | Votes: 1

kthor .. typcal response from you. what is the point of a high performance sedan if it doesnt behave like one? Why not just get a 335 or Audi S4 or IS350? The point of building a car like this is for the performance minded individual who enjoys the passion of driving, otherwise save the money and buy the regular sedan if you are concerned about how it drives in the city. The Lexus IS-F is an okay attempt at building a sports sedan, but nowhere in the league of the M3. these type of cars arent designed for the " the average joe ". lol ...
— BMW4me4ever (View Profile)

Posted on 6/23/2008 7:20:38 PM | | Votes: -1

kthor,

All you ever do is regurgitate the same old "BMW is best" crap and belittle every other brand.

Perhaps it is you who should shut up.
— answer (View Profile)

Posted on 6/24/2008 4:34:27 PM | | Votes: -1

que la guerre commence!
— EL44 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/22/2008 5:03:55 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

what language is that? i hope its not spanish lol
— stash84 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/22/2008 9:36:36 PM | | Votes: 0

You mean the reviewer was not Japanese, but the actual racing driver with the red driving gloves was probably japanese, the "nihon car" site probably hired "Yamishita" to drive on the Fuji Speedway for them.
It was quite an objective review because in essense, it is a review of the IS-F. It never said IS-F was the best, it gave the viewer a question. About what kind of car they'd refer then go for it.., though Nihon car said why they went for the IS-F.

it was a German car site with german reviewers, it'll always be a Benz, BMW no matter what, no questiosn asked..
— mpls (View Profile)

Posted on 6/22/2008 5:14:26 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

The M3 is about.... guess? Performance.
— M53R (View Profile)

Posted on 6/22/2008 7:25:00 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -5

I have never driven any, but i think i would choose the is-f, especially a black or a white one. i am no top class driver, and i dont think i would like to learn about oversteer in an expensive car like an M3. I prefer to see the lexus, it looks more muscular. the m3 looks like a 335i. i thought it was a good review by the reviewer, he was very fair, i actually thought he gave the M3 more points than the is-f. i am sure alot of the M3 fans out there would drive a is-f harder around a track than they could drive a M3. i really wish lexus would ease up a little on the electronic interferences though.
— slu1979 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/22/2008 9:47:45 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2

utah they do apply to everyday driving. These cars arent designed the " the average joe", they are designed for the race car like performance. When you drive cars like this in that manner, their faults show clearly. Whether you are taking a on ramp or off ramp, going to a track, driving very fast on the expressways or back roads somewhere flaws in body roll, suspension, throttle response can change how you drive. Changes your confidence level.
— BMW4me4ever (View Profile)

Posted on 6/23/2008 7:26:37 PM | | Votes: 3

go grandpa! every lexus i see is driven by a silver haired person. except the best-selling RX which is driven by soccer moms.
— enthusiastx11 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/22/2008 1:43:46 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

i got some silver hairs ! damn..maybe its not a coincidence...
— stash84 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/22/2008 9:38:33 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

Saw one of these last night at the dealership... $62,200.00 fully loaded. That's not a bad price IMO. It looks great in silver.

It doesn't look quite as "boyraceish" in person, as pictures would have you belive....not bad looking at all.
— Bmw8ter (View Profile)

Posted on 6/22/2008 11:41:57 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4

Oh stop your whinin, your Lexus lost fair and square.
— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/22/2008 12:02:03 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

"IS-F (8-speed AT > 6-speed MT anyday)"

what makes the automatic better than the manual? you get engaged with the car when you have a manual, unless you want to be lazy and let all that power be sapped.
— Htay7500 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/22/2008 12:44:15 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

You will always get more consistent shifts with an automatic than a manual so I agree with the original poster above: 8-speed AT > 6speed MT any day.
— F1_Driver (View Profile)

Posted on 6/22/2008 1:06:42 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

"Most likely to get you laid: IS-F (chicks love reliable men and reliable cars)"

I just asked my friend's Girlfriend and she said that if she was being hit on by a guy with a Lexus, she would assume he has ED since 60% of Lexus owners are seniors.
— EvoAudi (View Profile)

Posted on 6/22/2008 3:58:48 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

BMW: "Not as fun to own as it is to drive"

Lexus: "Fun to drive as well as easy to own"
— sector (View Profile)

Posted on 6/22/2008 2:54:27 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2

The center console of the IS-F doesn't look any more sophisticated than the Camry's. $62,000 is a bit much to ask for the IS-F IMO. If it were $50k I'd consider it, but at $62,000 you might as well get the real thing. And that would be the M3.
— LexSucks (View Profile)

Posted on 6/22/2008 7:27:23 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

At $62k, the Lexus IS-F seems reasonable considering a fully loaded M3 will run you around $69k. You could probably even convince the Lexus dealer to include the tax in that figure; but you'd be hard pressed to get a BMW dealer to agree to the same deal.
— Bmw8ter (View Profile)

Posted on 6/22/2008 8:40:42 PM | | Votes: -6

BMW8ter - The lexus is smaller than the BMW M3. $69k has alot more on it than what lexus even offers. If you price out similarly equipped cars, then the price of the M3 is only $3k more. Why buy a slower, more body roll, doesnt handle as well, smaller car for a few thousand less when you are already spending $60k + for it? Why buy the imitation, when the real thing is so much better?
— BMW4me4ever (View Profile)

Posted on 6/23/2008 10:57:18 AM | | Votes: 2

For 69 large I'd get the GT-R and blow the doors off 100% of the cars on the road, including the M3.
— F1_Driver (View Profile)

Posted on 6/24/2008 12:15:09 AM | | Votes: -2

As much as I wanted to hate this car I thoroughly check one out this weekend and it is really growing on me. I do have to say I drove the new M3 on the street and this average Joe was actually a bit disappointed
— sizquik (View Profile)

Posted on 6/23/2008 1:02:30 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

Actually for this journalist the C63 would be a better choice it is a more appropriate car for the "average joe" driver AND it is more luxurious than the IS-F.
— kpaxx (View Profile)

Posted on 6/24/2008 9:16:52 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

nope, that M3 design is already gettin old - if i'm spendin that much - ppl should be able to tell and see. IS-F is wide and that stacked exhaust no matter what sets it apart. If only it had a manual. I don' care, it's expected of these high powered cars to have a manual - thats why i get sleepers in Manual trans - (Camry V6). I'll stick w/ the stomp and go IS-F.
— StickShiftCamry (View Profile)

Posted on 6/25/2008 1:57:44 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

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Lexus IS-F, Road and Track Test Drive at the Fuji SpeedWay

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